be authorized to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be authorized to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to have the permission or authority to do something. Example: The employees are authorized to access the building using their security badges.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Local British health authorities will now be authorized to negotiate with other European Union health services for hundreds of operations.

The New York Times

"One must be authorized to perform the rite, and must do it in an authorized manner.

The New Yorker

International peacekeeping forces may be authorized to keep warring parties apart pending further negotiations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Law enforcement officials would then be authorized to confiscate any firearm owned by such a patient.

The New York Times

Only if Mr. Assad refuses would the president be authorized to take military action.

The New York Times

From now on, the center will be authorized to keep that information for five years.

The New York Times

The boat never got close enough for him to be authorized to fire his gun.

The New York Times

James Madison argued that the federal government should be authorized to charter corporations.

The New York Times - Magazine

Eventually, 550 officers are scheduled to be authorized to carry guns, he added.

The New York Times

Under the revision, countries would not be authorized to use retaliatory trade sanctions until the W.T.O.

The New York Times

Those officers will be authorized to search a person's bag if they believe it is warranted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose synonyms based on the specific nuance you want to convey. Use "be empowered to" for a stronger sense of agency, or "be permitted to" for a focus on formal permission.

Common error

Avoid using "be authorized to" when a simpler term like "allowed" or "permitted" suffices. Overusing "authorized" can make your writing sound overly formal or bureaucratic in casual contexts. For example, instead of saying "You are authorized to use the coffee machine", say "You can use the coffee machine".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be authorized to" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing permission or legal right to perform a certain action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it indicating formal permission across contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be authorized to" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that someone has official permission or the legal right to perform an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in formal contexts, such as news reports, legal documents, and business communications, conveying a professional tone. While effective in these settings, simpler terms like "allowed" or "permitted" may be more appropriate in casual conversations. Remember to consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing among alternatives like "be permitted to" or "be empowered to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be permitted to

Focuses on the granting of permission, often implying a formal or official allowance.

be allowed to

Suggests a general permission or lack of prohibition.

be empowered to

Emphasizes the granting of power or ability, often in a more proactive or significant way.

be entitled to

Implies a just or legitimate claim to do something.

have the right to

Highlights the existence of a legal or moral entitlement to perform an action.

be sanctioned to

Highlights the formal approval or endorsement of an action, often by an authority.

be licensed to

Focuses on having the required license or certification to perform an action, often in a professional context.

be cleared to

Indicates that any necessary checks or approvals have been completed, allowing an action to proceed.

be delegated to

Highlights the assignment of responsibility or authority from a higher level.

be given leave to

Implies formal permission usually given by some sort of authority, generally within institutional constraints.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "be authorized to"?

Use "be authorized to" in formal contexts when you want to emphasize that someone has been officially granted the power or permission to do something. This phrase is often found in legal documents, policy statements, and official communications.

What are some alternatives to "be authorized to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be permitted to", "be allowed to", or "be empowered to".

How does "be authorized to" differ from "be allowed to"?

"Be authorized to" typically implies a formal grant of power or permission, often by an authority. "Be allowed to" suggests a more general permission or lack of prohibition. For instance, an employee might "be authorized to" access confidential files, while they might simply "be allowed to" take a longer lunch break.

Is there a difference between "be authorized to" and "have the right to"?

"Be authorized to" emphasizes the granting of authority by an external entity, while "have the right to" highlights a legal or moral entitlement. You might "be authorized to" perform a task by your employer, but you "have the right to" free speech.